Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for its treatment of passengers with disabilities—which was a record fine for any airline in violation of disability regulations. This week, the DOT has issued new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel “that will ensure that they can fly safely and with dignity.”
The Final Rule Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs sets new standards for assistance—requiring airlines to provide safe and dignified assistance to individuals with disabilities; mandates hands-on training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle their wheelchairs; and specifies actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged or delayed during transport.
The rule also requires prompt enplaning, deplaning and connecting assistance from airlines to passengers with disabilities and clarifies that airlines must return all checked wheelchairs and other assistive devices to passengers in the condition in which they are received.
Passengers are also entitled to certain notifications from the airline, such as one that says should their wheelchairs or scooter be mishandled, they have a right to contact a Complaint Resolution Official and to be provided information on how to contact them and a right to file a claim with the airline. (DOT data shows that for every 100 wheelchairs or scooters transported on domestic flights at least one is damaged, delayed or lost.)
Additional protections, among even more, include:
- The prompt return of delayed wheelchairs or scooters
- Reimbursement for accessible ground transportation
- The prompt repair or replacement of damaged wheelchairs
- Loaner wheelchair or scooter accommodations
- Seating accommodations at airports
- New, improved standards for onboard wheelchairs
The final rule will be effective on January 16, 2025.
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